Online Teaching Programs in Nevada
Nevada teachers work with students of all backgrounds. Educators teach foundational skills like reading and writing as well as advanced classes in science, foreign language, and the arts. They also specialize in fields like bilingual education, special education, and gifted education. With so many career possibilities, teaching is a dynamic, rewarding profession for thousands of educators across the country.
Becoming a skilled teacher comes with a major time commitment. Nevada teaching jobs at the elementary and secondary levels require a state teaching license, and Nevada’s teaching requirements include a bachelor’s degree, a teacher preparation program, and a supervised student teaching experience. Nevada teachers must also pass multiple Praxis exams and undergo a background check.
Nevada’s teaching requirements include a bachelor’s degree, a teacher preparation program, and a supervised student teaching experience.
Accredited online teaching programs fulfill Nevada’s licensing requirements. While some states set additional requirements for graduates from out-of-state programs, Nevada issues standard teaching licenses to graduates with in-state and out-of-state teaching degrees, including from both traditional and online programs. Because teacher preparation requirements vary by state, prospective Nevada teachers should research whether their program fulfills the state’s guidelines.
During the Nevada teaching certification process, the Nevada Department of Education reviews applicants’ college transcripts to ensure that candidates meet the state’s educational requirements. Nevada also offers a three-year provisional license for candidates completing the state’s requirements. Prospective teachers looking for a flexible, accessible degree can fulfill the state’s licensing requirements with an online teaching degree.
How Do I Become a Teacher in Nevada?
Every state creates its own licensure process, and most licenses do not automatically transfer to other states. In Nevada, teachers must meet the state’s requirements and apply for a license with the Nevada Department of Education. At the K-12 level, teachers must hold a bachelor’s degree and fulfill the teacher preparation requirements, including student teaching and passing Praxis examinations. Nevada offers a ten-year license validity period to teachers with a graduate degree.
Nevada’s reciprocity program makes it easy to transfer licensure into the state. In 2017, the Nevada State Legislature approved a license reciprocity bill that allows out-of-state licensed teachers to receive a Nevada license without additional requirements. Nevada teachers interested in moving out of state should check the requirements for transferring a teaching license to their new state.
Educational Requirements
Like many other states, Nevada elementary and secondary teachers must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. A bachelor’s in teaching, which requires 120 credits and four years of full-time study, fulfills Nevada’s requirements. Educators with a master’s degree, which typically takes two additional years, qualify for the state’s professional license.
The Nevada Department of Education sets the educational requirements for each licensure area, including elementary education, middle school, and secondary education. For example, elementary educators need 32 credits in elementary professional education and coursework in the methods of teaching mathematics, science, social studies, and literacy. Secondary educators need 22 credits in methods and pedagogy and a major in their content area. Teachers at all levels need eight credits of student teaching experience. Teachers with a bachelor’s degree in Nevada need to renew their licenses every five years.
Teachers with a bachelor’s degree in Nevada need to renew their licenses every five years.
Professionals without a degree in teaching can earn a license through Nevada’s Alternative Route to Licensure program. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s or higher from a regionally accredited institution, enroll in a teacher preparation program, and pass the Praxis competency test. The alternative route requires a major or minor in the candidate’s teaching content area or a passing score on the Praxis subject area test.
Although Nevada teachers need a bachelor’s degree to teach at the K-12 level, graduates with an associate degree in teaching work as daycare or childcare providers, preschool teachers, or as paraprofessionals at the K-12 level. An associate degree also prepares graduates to enter a bachelor’s program and may fulfill general education requirements. Learners considering an associate degree can learn more about online associate degrees in teaching here.
Common Courses for Teaching Degrees in Nevada
Associate Degree in Teaching
| Introduction to Education | Students learn about the historical, social, and political evolution of education, as well as the educator’s role in providing quality instruction. |
|---|---|
| Language and Literacy Development | Teachers at all levels work on language and literacy. This course covers the best practices for teaching literacy skills, including reading comprehension and assessment. |
| Curriculum | Curriculum courses emphasize the teacher’s role in structuring material for students; the class includes instruction methods, assessment models, and curriculum design for different age levels. |
Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching
| Introduction to Teaching | Bachelor’s-level introductory classes focus on elementary or secondary education, depending on the teacher’s specialization. Coursework emphasizes the characteristics of effective teaching. |
|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | Students cover teaching, reading, and writing skills in various content fields and for different age groups, including developmental instruction or techniques for promoting comprehension in both younger and older students. |
| Education Pedagogy | Pedagogy classes explore theoretical approaches to teaching and student learning methods, including research-based practices, instruction techniques, and learning outcomes. |
Master’s Degree in Teaching
| Teachers as Researchers | Research courses survey literature with a focus on teacher-driven research. The class may include developing an action research project. |
|---|---|
| Multicultural Education | Teachers across Nevada work with diverse student populations; this course focuses on issues, practices, and research associated with teaching in a diverse society. |
| Classroom Management | Master’s students learn about managing the classroom, including establishing a positive environment, routines and procedures, and discipline plans. |
How to Get a Teaching Certificate in Nevada
Each state determines its own processes and requirements for earning a teaching certificate. The Nevada Department of Education issues teaching licenses to qualified applicants, and teachers must hold a valid license to teach at the K-12 level. Nevada teachers must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, complete a teacher education program, meet student teaching experience requirements, and pass several tests.
As in most states, Nevada teachers need a bachelor’s degree. If their degree lies outside of education, prospective teachers complete a teacher education program to meet the state’s requirements. All teachers need eight credits of supervised student teaching experience.
Standard teaching licenses qualify for five years, and professional licenses expire based on the teacher’s education level.
Nevada uses the Praxis tests for teacher licenses. The required tests vary depending on the license area, and all teachers must pass the Praxis core academic skills test and any required Praxis content area tests. Teachers at the middle and high school levels must also pass the grades 7-12 principles of learning and teaching test. Praxis provides information on the Nevada test requirements.
After graduating from a teaching program and completing the tests, Nevada teachers apply for a standard license. Teachers in possession of a master’s degree or higher or national board certification may apply for a professional license. Applicants for the professional license need a minimum of three years of full-time teaching experience. Nevada also offers the Alternative Route to Licensure program to candidates with a bachelor’s degree who have not completed a traditional teacher preparation program.
New applications for a teaching license cost $180, while renewal costs $150. Standard teaching licenses qualify for five years, and professional licenses expire based on the teacher’s education level. Teachers must complete six credits of professional development to renew a license. Nevada leads the nation in granting licenses to out-of-state teachers.
Choosing a Degree Program in Nevada
In Nevada, prospective teaching students must consider multiple programs to find the best teaching degree for their needs, and online teaching programs widen the choices to schools located across the country. By evaluating programs based on their cost, location, length, and specializations, students can find the right program for their interests and career goals.
Degrees costs money, and prospective students often start by considering their budget relative to the loans and scholarships they receive. When comparing programs, consider the per-credit cost, any tuition discounts for residents or online students, and the total credits required for the degree. Location may affect cost, too. Nevada’s public institutions offer lower rates for state residents, for example. Because the Nevada teaching certificate requires student teaching experience, prospective students can also look at a program’s placement record for student teaching, including local opportunities for online students.
While most bachelor’s programs require four years, prospective learners can utilize transfer credits and work experience credits to shorten the degree. Specializations, endorsements, and certification programs may also add time to a degree. Prospective teachers can benefit from one of the many online teaching programs in Nevada, which provide flexibility and accessibility over traditional programs. Online programs may also appeal to current teachers earning a graduate degree in order to improve their job prospects.
Can You Earn a Teaching Degree Online in Nevada?
Nevada teachers must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning, and online degrees meet the requirements as long as they are awarded by an accredited college or university. When prospective teachers apply for a Nevada teaching license, they submit their transcripts for review. The Nevada Department of Education checks applicant’s undergraduate degree major, ensures that the program meets the state’s teacher education requirements, and verifies the applicant’s student teaching experience.
Earning an online teaching degree in Nevada qualifies graduates for the state teaching license. Prospective teachers applying for Nevada’s standard teaching license complete the same process whether their degree-granting institution lies in Nevada or out of state.
Students considering an online teaching program can check that it meets the state’s requirements for licensure areas. For example, licensed teachers at the elementary level must complete eight semester hours of credit in supervised student teaching, and secondary licensed teachers must take three credits of coursework focused on students with disabilities. Prospective students should also keep in mind that the degree-granting institution must hold regional accreditation. An unaccredited institution does not meet Nevada’s requirements.
Directory of Teaching Schools in Nevada
Paying for Your Teaching Degree in Nevada
Students considering a career in teaching sometimes feel intimidated by the price tag for a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in education. However, future teachers enjoy several options such as scholarships and grants that reduce the cost of tuition. While some scholarships and grants require a teaching commitment after graduation, they serve as an excellent option for students already planning to teach in particular areas.
Many students rely on loans to cover their educational expenses. Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important step. Qualifying students may receive loans, grants, and work-study opportunities through the U.S. Department of Education. And though students need to pay off many of the loans, teachers benefit from several loan forgiveness programs that may discharge up to 100% of the graduate’s loans.
In addition to scholarships, grants, and loans, teaching students often qualify for financial aid through their college or university. Many education programs provide specialized awards for students, which can help pay for a degree. Some current teachers qualify for tuition reimbursement programs through their school district. With so many options available, prospective students can earn a teaching degree without stressing about the cost.
Loan Forgiveness for Nevada Teachers
Loan forgiveness programs help graduates pay back their student loans. Teachers qualify for many loan forgiveness programs offered at the state and federal levels. However, loan forgiveness programs often require a minimum number of years teaching at designated low-income schools or in high-need fields. By checking the program requirements, teachers may get to discharge their full student loan balance.
At the federal level, teachers may qualify for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program and the Perkins Loan Teacher Cancellation program. The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program provides up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness for direct loans and Stafford loans. Teachers must work for five consecutive years in a low-income school to qualify. The Perkins Loan Teacher Cancellation program cancels up to 100% of federal Perkins loans for teachers who work in low-income schools, and special education teachers and educators working in a field facing teacher shortages. Perkins loan recipients may qualify for loan deferment.
Nevada provides lists of teacher shortage areas, which help determine eligibility for certain federal loan forgiveness programs. The Nevada Department of Education posts their list of teacher shortage areas online.
Scholarships for Nevada Teaching Students
Nevada teaching students benefit from several specialized scholarship programs. Students enrolled in a Nevada teaching program can apply for the Teach Nevada program, which provides scholarships to teaching students throughout the state. Some scholarships require that recipients agree to teach in the state after graduation.
Teach Nevada Scholarships $3,000 per semester
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Nevada Tuition & Books
TEACH Grant $4,000
Guinn Memorial Millennium Scholarship $4,500
Job Outlook and Salary for Teachers in Nevada
| Location | Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 53,520 | $48,610 |
| United States | 8,636,430 | $54,520 |
The state of Nevada employs over 53,000 teachers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average wage for a Nevada teacher is $48,610, slightly below the national average of $54,520. However, teacher salaries cover a wide range, depending on the job title, the teacher’s education level, and the location.
Nevada’s preschool teachers receive the lowest salary, with an average of just over $32,000. Unlike K-12 teachers, preschool teachers do not need a teaching license in Nevada. Elementary and secondary teachers earn between $53,000 and $56,000 a year, with higher salaries for educators who hold a master’s degree or earn additional credits beyond the bachelor’s level.
Nevada teacher salaries also vary based on the location, with educators in metropolitan areas like Las Vegas and Reno earning higher salaries than those in rural districts. As with many other states, Nevada school districts often publish their salary schedules, allowing prospective teachers to look up district salaries by education level and experience.
| Source: BLS | |
| Preschool Teachers | $32,270 |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $52,910 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $54,910 |
| Middle School Teachers | $56,340 |
| Secondary School Teachers | $55,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Teaching in Nevada
How do I get certified to teach in Nevada?
What is the average salary for a teacher in Nevada?
How long does it take to get a teaching certificate in Nevada?
How do I renew my teaching certificate in Nevada?
Resources for Teachers in Nevada
- Nevada Department of Education The Nevada Department of Education issues teaching licenses to K-12 educators in the state. It also provides services for educators and school staff members, including instructional materials, funds for professional development, and other resources.
- Nevada State Education Association (NSEA) The NSEA represents educators and advocates for quality education. With more than 24,000 members, NSEA is a fast-growing affiliate of the National Education Association. NSEA acts as a political and professional voice for educators.
- Nevada State Science Teachers Association (NSSTA) Designed for science teachers at all levels, the NSSTA provides assessment resources and K-12 science lessons for its members. The organization also offers events and conferences located around the state.
- Nevada Association for the Education of Young Children (NevAEYC) NevAEYC, a division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, promotes early learning for children from birth through age eight. NevAEYC also provides resources for early childhood professionals and organizes events and conferences.
- National Education Association (NEA) NEA advocates for public education and educators and also provides publications, discussion forums, discounted legal services, and professional resources for its members.
